Massage instrument



3,1954 1.. GOLFIER EIAL 2,685,287

MASSAGE INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 7, 1953 INVENTORS- k A! 4'' BY 14444? \ffi aw y" 941 1 1/ 1 A RNEY Patented Aug. 3, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 2,685,287 MASSAGE INSTRUMENT Leon Golfier and Charles LHeureux,Clermont- Ferrant, France Application January 7, 1953, Serial No.330,079

7 Claims. 1

The invention refers to massage instruments such as used to treat partsof the human body by repeated mechanical action.

One object of the invention is to provide an instrument which is simpleand portable so that it may be used by the individual even whiletravelling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massage instrument whichpermits to treat the tissues and the muscles of the gums and the cheeks.

Other objects of the invention are clarified hereafter in connectionwith the drawing. which shows in Fig. 1 in top view an example of theinvention, while Fig. 2 shows the same instrument in side view.

Figs. 3 and 4 show in front and side view respectively another executionof the actuated part of the instrument.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the instrument according to theinvention consists of an inflatable bag I, which is connected through aflexible hose 2 with an air-bellows 3, of the usual pear shape. Theflexible hose 2 may be attached to the neck 4 of the bellows and enterwith a stem 5 into a joint 6 of the bag I.

The inflatable bag in the execution shown consists of two pocket likeextremities 8 connected by a relatively narrow section I with each otherand the joint 6. The inside contour of the bag, when not inflated, isconcave as shown at II, to conform to the gums. The outside contour, asshown at I0, is convex. The pocket-shaped extremities extend, as shownat 9, also to fill the space between gums and cheeks.

To use the instrument according to the invention it is only necessarythat the individual desiring the treatment closes his or her mouth andin lifting the lips inserts the bag I between the gums and the cheeks.By alternatively compressing and releasing the bulb 3 the bag I isinflated and deflated and massages the tissues and the muscles. Thisproduces exercise of the muscles of the face, brings increased bloodcirculation through the action of the arteria of the face as well as anincreased action of the glands. The result is not only strengthening ofthe muscles and the tissues which often brings with it that wrinkles ofthe adjoining skin disappear but it also has been found that the teethare strengthened and held more securely in the jaw.

If desired the pocket like extremities of bag I can be shaped as more orless circular parts I2 of such size that they cover, when inserted intothe mouth the upper and the lower gums. The narrower section l3 carriesthe joint 6 in such way that the action upon the gums is not restricted.In the side View the bag I is relatively flat as shown at I4.

It has further been found that the action of the bag I can be directedmore specifically towards certain parts of its contact with the musclesand tissues by providing local stiffening reinforcements a shown at I5.As example, by providing the stiflening ridge on the side of the gums,the action of the bag I will be directed mostly towards the muscles andtissues of the cheeks. In other cases it might be preferred to stiffenthat side of the bag I which is in contact with the checks. The massageaction will then be directed mainly towards the gums as it might bedesired in cases of orthodentistry.

The massage instrument is manufactured from resilient, elastic materialsuch as natural or synthetic rubber or other elastomers. It is preferredto use such strength and thickness of material that it returns to itsshape due to its own elasticity as soon as the bulb 3 is released andthe compression ceases.

While other executions of the invention are possible without deviationfrom its substance, what is claimed is:

1. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient,elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted tobe inserted between the gum and the check, a flexible connection to andmeans for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag.

2. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient,elastic material, of relatively flat shape when no inflated, fitted tobe inserted between the gum and the check, a flexible connection to andmeans for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said meanscomprising a bellow.

3. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient,elastic material, of relative- 1y flat shape when not inflated, fittedto be inserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible hose connectionand an air-bellow for hand operation for alternatively inflating anddeflating Said bag.

4. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient,elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted tobe inserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible connection to andmeans for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bagcomprising two pocket shaped extremities connected by a nar- 3 rowsection and a joint for connection with the inflating and deflatingmeans, said joint located outside of the part to be inserted betweencheek and gum.

5. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient elasticmaterial of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted to beinserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible connection to, andmeans for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bagcomprising two pocket shaped extremities, connected by a center part ofconcave inner contour with a joint for connection to said inflating anddeflating means.

6. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient,elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted tobe inserted between the gum and the cheek, aflexible connection to andmeans for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bagcomprising two pocketshaped extremities extending over the area of theupper and the lower gums, and a 4 narrow section with a joint forconnection with the inflating and deflating means.

7. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient,elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted tobe inserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible connection to andmeans for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bagprovided with local stifiening means to restrict the deformation of saidbag during inflation to the not stifiened sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 712,354 Best Oct. 28, 1902 2,014,009 Vance Sept. 10, 1935FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 287,514 Italy Nov. 22, 1929

